Who among the following was not the chairman/member of the State Reorganization Commission formed in 1953?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:

K. M. Munshi was not a chairman/member of the States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) formed in December 1953. The SRC was established by the Government of India to address the pressing demand for linguistic reorganization of the states after India's independence, a key moment in post-colonial state formation. The commission was a three-member body, and the individual members are historically well-documented. Therefore, K. M. Munshi's name does not appear among the official members who submitted the report in 1955. While K. M. Munshi was a prominent figure in the Constituent Assembly and a respected constitutionalist, his primary role was not linked to this specific commission.

The incorrect option is 1:

Fazal Ali was the Chairman of the States Reorganisation Commission. He was a distinguished judge and former Governor of Orissa and Assam, lending significant legal weight and neutrality to the commission's work. The commission is often referred to as the Fazal Ali Commission because of his leadership. His chairmanship was crucial in ensuring the thorough, two-year study that resulted in the SRC Report of 1955, which recommended the creation of 16 states and 3 Union Territories (though the final Act varied slightly).

The incorrect option is 3:

Hridaynath Kunzru (H. N. Kunzru) was one of the three full-time members of the SRC. A respected parliamentarian and social reformer, his membership brought political and administrative insight to the commission. Along with K. M. Panikkar and Chairman Fazal Ali, Kunzru was instrumental in assessing the various claims for state reorganization based on linguistic, cultural, and administrative grounds. His presence ensured a balanced perspective in the final recommendations presented to the Government of India.

The incorrect option is 4:

K. M. Pannikar (Kavalam Madhava Panikkar) was the third and final member of the States Reorganisation Commission. He was a distinguished scholar, diplomat, and administrator, having served as India's Ambassador to China. Panikkar's deep knowledge of history and strategic affairs was vital in the deliberations. His expertise contributed significantly to the intellectual rigor of the SRC's final report, which served as the blueprint for the States Reorganisation Act of 1956.